Cornelia assault suspect caught

CORNELIA - A tip from the public led Habersham County authorities to an armed robbery suspect earlier this week.

Habersham County Sheriff's Sgt. Richard Stein said the suspect Johnny Xaysombath, known on the streets as Johnny Bravo, was apprehended Monday, August 5 at a house on Yearwood Drive in the Fairview community in Demorest.

Officers had received a tip that Xaysombath was at the house, and when he saw officers approach, he ran, according to Stein. He said the 29-year-old was caught by Investigator Chance Oxner after a short chase.

Xaysombath had been on the run ever since a July 23 attack at a home on Lakeview Heights Circle in Cornelia in which a victim was beaten with a rifle and robbed.

Stein said the investigation was a joint effort between the HCSO Burglary and Suppression unit and the Mountain Judicial NCIS agents.

Xaysombath is being held in the Habersham County Detention Center and has been charged with failure to appear in court, probation violation, armed robbery and aggravated assault.